ikeGPS™ powered by u-blox technology

Wellington, New Zealand and Thalwil, Switzerland, September 22, 2009 – Surveylab and u-blox today unveiled the successful integration of u-blox' LEA GPS receiver module into Surveylab’s innovative ikeGPS remote data capture products. Combining the world’s leading positioning technology from u-blox with a 3D compass, laser rangefinder and digital camera, Surveylab’s enhanced ikeGPS solutions are now at least twice as accurate as previous models. ikeGPS is the quickest and safest means to remotely collect geographic data based on satellite global positioning.

With the launch of the latest ikeGPS, called ike1000, Surveylab embarked on a complete redesign of the previous model with the integration of a higher-performance GPS receiver being critical to the new product. Leading GPS receiver manufacturer u-blox was quickly identified as the first choice for the revamped ikeGPS device. The u-blox-enabled ike1000 demonstrates greater sensitivity, faster acquisition times, and lower power consumption than its predecessor.

With the u-blox embedded GPS chip at the core of the design, the new ike1000 is the fastest and most accurate offset data capture product available today. Users like the US Army Corp of Engineers ACE Reachback Operations Center (UROC) will see improved performance from future ikeGPS units deployed as part of their Geospatial Assessment Tool for their Engineering Reachback (GATER) program. In emergency response situations where time and responder safety is critical, the improved ikeGPS allows fast and safe remote geographic data collection while keeping the user out of danger.

“We selected the u-blox solution early on, and have found it effortless to integrate into our overall ikeGPS design. The u-blox chipset is compact, incredibly sensitive and yet consumes very little power” commented Leon Toorenburg Surveylab CEO. “We’ve been thoroughly impressed at how well the u-blox chipset performs within our ikeGPS solution and our customers are now enjoying the increased productivity the u-blox powered ikeGPS offers.”

"We are very happy to see u-blox designed into such a unique positioning device as the ikeGPS," said Adrian Tan, VP Sales for u-blox Asia. "Surveylab’s range of ikeGPS products are used in many different applications across the world such as humanitarian work in demining, and asset capture for power utilities – and the use of u-blox products in ikeGPS demonstrates the versatility of our embedded technology.”

About Surveylab
Based in Wellington, New Zealand and McLean, Virginia, Surveylab develops and manufactures ikeGPS, the world's first integrated GPS/laser/camera device for GIS data capture. ikeGPS enables faster, safer, and more efficient data acquisition through remote photo positioning. Multiple targets up to 1,000 meters distant, especially in inaccessible or unsafe locations, can be accurately positioned from a single location. Users such as international NGOs, oil & gas industry, utilities, forestry, military engineers, and public works agencies have been using ikeGPS for years in situations where targets are difficult to reach or safety is a concern.

About u-blox
u-blox is a leading fabless semiconductor provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions for the consumer, industrial and automotive markets. Our solutions enable people, devices, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and wirelessly communicate via voice, text or video. With a broad portfolio of GPS modules, cards, chips, and software solutions together with wireless modules and solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to enable OEMs to develop innovative solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Headquartered in Switzerland and with global presence in Europe, Asia and the Americas, u-blox employs 180 people. Founded in 1997, u-blox is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. (www.u-blox.com)

Copyright information: ike, “ike knows everything”, the Surveylab satellite logo, Surveylab, and ikeGPS are trademarks of Surveylab Ltd, and are the property of Surveylab Ltd. New Zealand and International Patents Pending.

Surveylab contact:
Terry Ross, VP International Sales
Surveylab
Tel: +64 4 382 8064
terry.ross@ikegps.com
www.ikegps.com

u-blox contact:
Adrian Tan, VP Sales Asia
u-blox
Tel: +65 6734 3811
adrian.tan@u-blox.com
www.u-blox.com